Corruption probe body kicks off
Political neutrality and independence key to success
Kim Jin-wook started work Friday as the inaugural head of the new Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) after receiving a certificate of appointment from President Moon Jae-in a day earlier. Kim's appointment comes in the wake of fierce conflict between the ruling and opposition parties over the establishment of the CIO and the selection of its first leader. The bone of contention has been whether the CIO will maintain the much-touted principle of political neutrality.
Wary of such concerns, Moon, while handing Kim the appointment letter, emphasized, “What is most important is how to keep the neutrality and independence” of the nascent investigative agency. Kim responded that he would pursue “political neutrality without siding with certain parties.”
The CIO has been given huge authority in its role to investigate corruption cases involving high-ranking officials, including prosecutors and judges. Key officials from the government including the President, members of the National Assembly, the judiciary and local governments are all subject to CIO investigations.
The Moon administration has relentlessly pushed for the launch of the new agency with the goal of reforming the prosecution. Moon and his followers have criticized prosecutors for having attempted to influence politics with their monopoly on the indictment of high-profile figures. Former President Roh Moo-hyun pushed for the CIO as one of his major presidential campaign pledges in 2002, but failed.
Kim should show his commitment to maintaining the independence and political neutrality of the new agency by taking concrete action, not just talking. He should first focus on carefully selecting his deputy, who will play a decisive role in investigations of major cases. The naming of the deputy and 23 ranking prosecutors will become the barometer that will show his dedication to political neutrality.
The CIO deputy head is set to be named by the President with the consent from the CIO head while the prosecutors are to be chosen through a personnel affairs committee composed of seven members ― the CIO head, the deputy, one person nominated by them, two recommended by the ruling party and two selected by the opposition party.
Kim is poised to recommend multiple candidates for the deputy post next week. The deputy should be equipped with a firm dedication to political neutrality coupled with unimpeachable integrity so that they can earn the trust of the people.
The 23 ranking prosecutors should also come from those who are moderate politically. Through the revision of a related law, anyone can become a candidate for a CIO prosecutor position if they have more than seven years of experience as a lawyer even if they have no investigative experience. This is the reason why we worry about the possibility that “underqualified” figures will fill the new CIO posts.
After naming the deputy and prosecutors, it is necessary for the CIO to embark on investigations into cases appropriate for its unique role. Given the limited size of the CIO, it is essential to share its role with other law enforcement organizations such as the prosecution and police. We expect the CIO to play its given role appropriately to root out corrupt practices and straighten discipline in officialdom.